'Loose lips sink ships' - Rory McIlroy coy on golf's future

Rory McIlroy insists progress is being made in talks over the future of men's professional golf, but a fear that "loose lips sink ships" means it is being kept under wraps.

The Framework Agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which blindsided players when it was announced in June, was due to be finalised by the end of the year.

Meeting that deadline appears unlikely, with the PGA Tour also understood to be assessing potential funding from alternative private equity sources. Fenway Sports Group - owners of Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox - are reported to be one of the interested parties.

McIlroy, who is one of the PGA Tour's player directors, knows better than most what is happening behind the scenes, but acknowledged any deal with the PIF would need to be approved by the United States government.

"I think if you were in the middle of it, you would see that there's a path forward," McIlroy said in his press conference ahead of the DP World Tour Championship.

"It's just that no one on the outside has any details, right. Loose lips sink ships, so we are trying to keep it tight and within walls. I'm sure when there's news to tell, it will be told.

"I think getting something done sooner rather than later is a good thing. Because you know, even if we get a deal done, it doesn't mean that it's actually going to happen.

"That's up to the United States government at that point and whether the Department of Justice think that it's the right thing to do or whether (it's) anti-competitive or whatever.

"Even if a deal does get done, it's not a sure thing. So yeah, we are just going to have to wait and see. But in my opinion, the faster something gets done, the better."

Asked if he was